Method of providing the cylindrical inner surface of a lens mount with rolls and lens mount provided therewith

ABSTRACT

Into the inner surface of a cylindrical lens mount grooves are pressed by means of a roller member so that the material on either side of the groove folds from the general level of the surface into the interior space and forms rolls. The diameter between the rolls is then calibrated to the exact size and the lenses, lens elements and pre-mounted lenses are supported on the rolls.

United States Patent 1 Strauch et al.

[ 1 Dec.4, 1973 METHOD OF PROVIDING THE CYLINDRICAL INNER SURFACE OF A LENS MOUNT WITH ROLLS AND LENS MOUNT PROVIDED THEREWITH [76] Inventors: Ernst Strauch, Waldgirmeser Strasse 37, Naunheim; Gerhard Bleier, Ludwig-Rinn-Strasse l8, Atzbaeh, both of Germany 22 Filed: Apr. 5, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 348,230

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No 207,038, Dec. 13, 1971.

[52] U.S. Cl 350/245, 350/178, 350/257 [51] Int. Cl. G02b 7/02 [58] Field of Search 350/178, 238-241,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,297,392 1/1967 Ballmer 350/178 Primary Examiner-David Schonberg Assistant Examiner-Michael J. Tokar Attorney-Gilbert L. Wells et a1.

[5 7 ABSTRACT Into the inner surface of a cylindrical lens mount grooves are pressed by means of a roller member so that the material on either side of the groove folds from the general level of the surface into the interior space and forms rolls. The diameter between the rolls is then calibrated to the exact size and the lenses, lens elements and pre-mounted lenses are supported on the rolls.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures METHOD OF PROVIDING THE CYLINDRICAL INNER SURFACE OF A LENS MOUNT WITH ROLLS AND LENS MOUNT PROVIDED THEREWITH This is a division of application Ser. No. 207,038 filed Dec. 13,1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the mounts of optical lenses, objectives etc. In particular, it relates to a method of providing the inner surface of a cartridge-shaped mount with rolls between which the lenses are supported.

It is already known to provide the inner surface of a lens mount with elastic rolls which extend parallel to the optical axis. The rolls exert a pressure on the lenses in radial inward direction so that the lenses are thereby automatically centered.

In the German Pat. Nos. 1,122,738 and 1,127,110 lens mounts are illustrated which are provided with such elastic rolls. The cartridges wherein the lenses are retained are subdivided into two halves in longitudinal direction. The lenses are supported between them and the two halves are kept together by a second cartridge.

It is, however, rather expensive to manufacture these prior art rollsin the mounts. The mounts are provided with grooves and elastic material is inserted into the grooves so that the rolls are formed. Besides, such mounts comprise three component parts which in itself is a severe disadvantage.

It is therefore an object of the invention to find a method of providing lens mounts with such rolls in a simple and inexpensive manner. And it is a further object to provide the rolls in the mount without subdividing it into two parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above stated objects are attained by pressing grooves into the inner wall of the lens mount by means of a suitable instrument, preferably by a roller member. The material on either side of the instrument is thereby folded from the general level of the surface in a radial inward direction, thereby forming two rolls. A calibrating and gauging tool is then pressed through the mount so that the diameter between the rolls is adjusted to the required size.

In each mount an evenly distributed number of rolls, preferably at least three, may be generated which extend in parallel to the optical axis. However, the rolls may also extend along a helical line or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Preferably, the instrument pressing the groove into the material and the gauging tool are combined to form a unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more readily comprehended from the following description when taken in conjunction with the appending drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lens mount provided with rolls, and

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the lens mount of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a lens mount -2 is schematically shown which has an inner wall 1. As

can be seen from FIG. 2 the lens mount is of cylindrical shape and is adapted to receive and hold single lens elements, cemented lenses and also pre-mounted lenses.

The inner wall 1 is provided with rolls 3 extending along the wall in a direction parallel to the optical axis. The rolls are made by guiding a pressing tool, preferably a roller member, through the lens mount so that grooves are generated and a roll folds up on either side of the tool.

The lenses to be mounted are of a slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the inner wall 1; but they are of a slightly greater diameter than exists between the rolls. After producing the rolls, the diameter between the walls is therefore calibrated to the exact size of the lens diameter so that the lenses are retained between the grooves without play.

Folding-up the rolls and the calibration of the exact diameter may be performed in two different working processes, however, the necessary tools may also be combined to form one unit so that both operations may be performed in only one working process.

According to the Figures the rolls extend in parallel to the optical axis. However, they may also extend in a winding line, i.e. a helical line. Such helical lines can be imagined if one thinks of the one end of the lens mount 2 kept fixed while the other end is slightly wound. Helical lines will be preferred if the lens mount is of a material through which the tool may be easier screwed or threaded than pressed in a straight direction.

By the invented method it is thus possible to provide rolls within the lens mount without subdividing the mount into two parts. Simple tools may be used and the quality of the finished product, as regards the exactness of the calibrated diameter, is greatly superior to prior art products.

What is claimed is:

l. A lens mount of cylindrical inner shape for supporting lenses, cemented lenses and pre-mounted lenses therein, comprising on its inner surface at least three parallel lines of two rolls each on either side of a groove, the diameter between said rolls being calibrated to the size of the lens diameter.

2. A lens mount as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rolls extend substantially parallel to the optical axis.

3. A lens mount as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rolls extend along helical lines.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,776,617 Dated D c m er 1975 Inventor-(s) g It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the Title Page, the following should be added:

Foreign Application Priority Data l5, o a o o o o o 0 OP Signed and sealed this 3th day of April 1975.

-?--T J ,r.4 A

ttest m" H C. MARSHALL DANN nUm C. QLADOL. Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks FORM P0-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 50376-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:

UNITED STATESPATEN' I OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. Q 1 Dated December 4, 1973 Inventofls) ERNST STRAUCH and GERHARD BLEIFR in the above-identified patent It is certified that error appears corrected as shown below:

and that said Letters Patent are hereby thormm; wage, add the data QLCIIHJziEi identifiers:

73 Assignee: Ernst Lem GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany Sign and sealed this 15th of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY :1. am: J JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Comissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 6037(VP69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I919 O-366-334.

FORM Po-1d5o (10-69) 

1. A lens mount of cylindrical inner shape for supporting lenses, cemented lenses and pre-mounted lenses therein, comprising on its inner surface at least three parallel lines of two rolls each on either side of a groove, the diameter between said rolls being calibrated to the size of the lens diameter.
 2. A lens mount as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rolls extend substantially parallel to the optical axis.
 3. A lens mount as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rolls extend along helical lines. 